Camillus man convicted in rape of intoxicated woman

Syracuse, NY - A Camillus man could face up to 25 years in state prison after being found guilty Wednesday of raping a woman who was incapacitated due to alcohol.

A state Supreme Court jury of eight women and four men deliberated about three hours before finding Joseph Canfield, 46, of 121 Jarrett Dr., guilty of first-degree rape and first-degree sexual abuse, according to Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Cali.

Cali said the charges were based on allegations the victim was "physically helpless" and not the victim of a forcible assault at the time she was sexually molested Nov. 12 at a friend's home in Camillus.

According to the prosecutor, the 21-year-old victim had been out celebrating her birthday and drinking with friends before the incident. When she and her companions stopped at the friend's home, the victim passed out, Cali said.

When her friends were unable to wake her to leave with them, they left her on the couch to spend the night, Cali said.

The prosecutor said the victim later woke up to find she was being sexually assaulted.

Canfield testified in his own defense to claim he and the victim had consensual sex, Cali said. The jury apparently rejected that contention based on the victim's account and the testimony from her friends about her intoxicated condition, he added.

Justice John Brunetti ordered Canfield taken into custody after the verdict to be held in jail without bail pending sentencing Aug. 31.

He faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison up to a maximum potential penalty of 25 years, Cali said.